Martin Scorsese will direct the biopic “Sinatra” for Universal Pictures and Mandalay Pictures.

Phil Alden Robinson is writing the screenplay for Sinatra based on the life of the iconic entertainer.

Universal and Mandalay have been quietly developing the project after securing the Frank Sinatra life rights and music rights from Frank Sinatra Enterprises — a joint venture of the Sinatra Estate and Warner Music Group. The process of acquiring the rights took years.